Mens Water Polo Analysis of Barcelona 2013 statistics and indications on possible changes comparing to London 2012

(Based on official Omega data)

By Yiannis Giannouris, Water Polo Coach - Greece Table 1: A feeling from the top 8 en Water Polo teams statistics at the Barcelona 2013 World Championships in relation to those of the Olympic Games in London in 2012. We observe more goals in positional attack (6X6), slightly more goals by the center forwards, fewer goals in Man up situations, less goal with direct 5 meters shots, slightly less goal with a penalty and a bit more goals in counter attack. The reasons could be among other, the evolution of the game due to the renewal of the teams roster and the appearance of new and talented players along with the presence of new coaches in the benches of various teams. To consider also the style of refereeing that varies from competition to competition affecting in a way the performance of the teams.

Table 2: An analysis of exclusions given by the referees at Barcelona 2013 World Champs in relation to London 2012 Olympics. In the games of the first 8 teams in Barcelona there was a reduction in the average number of exclusions per game (for both teams) compared with that in London . In Barcelona we observe 19.8 exclusions per game while in London 22.8 exclusions per game. The exclusion analysis shows greater reduction in those given in the center forwards (11 exclusions /game in Barcelona vs 13.7 in London) and in the field 7.1 exclusions in Barcelona vs 8.3 in London. Possible explanations could be attributed to the fact that teams chose to play

more time zone defenses and not pressing and of course the improvement in peripheral defense and mainly the defense against 5 meters shots. (Perhaps this is why we see more goals in positional attacks or by the center forwards, and fewer goals in 5 m. shots and fewer goals due to Man up situations)

Table 3 Success percentage in man up situations in Barcelona 2013 compared with those in London 2012. This parameter shows the ability of the teams to score in Man up situations but by itself cannot contribute to the final ranking of the teams..... The Hungarians in Barcelona have had best Man up percentage and came first but in London again with the best Man up they ended just fifth.

Table 4

Here we can see how the first 8 teams scored their goals in the World Champ of Barcelona. Hungarians scored most (relatively) goals in Man up. The Greek team along with Spain relatively most goals in the center forwards. Montenegro scored most goals in the counter attack . Australia, relatively most more goals during their positional attacking 6X6. The Italians scored most goals with a 5 m shot and finally the Spaniards relatively scored more goals with penalties....

Table 5 In this table we see how the 8 first teams received their goals at BCN 2013. The Hungarians and the Australians received relatively most goals with Man down, the Serbs in defense 6X6, Italians with a shot 5m, Montenegro from the center, Spain with penalties and Croatia at defensive counter attack

Table 6

The percentage of goals received with Man down for the 8 first teams at BCN 2013 comparing with the number of situations with numerical inferiority.

Table 7: Here we see how many exclusions have been awarded in favor or against at the center forward, at the field and in Total per game for the first 8 Teams in BCN 2013. The Hungarians won in favor most of exclusions per game while Greece committed most exclusions per game. The Hungarians again earn most exclusions per game at the position of center forward and the Greeks relatively most exclusions while defending the centers. Finally Italy won, relatively, most exclusions in the field and at the same time committed more exclusions at the field.